Is´rafîl, the angel who will sound the “Resurrection blast.” Then Gabriel and Michael will call together the “dry bones” to judgement. When Israfil puts the trumpet to his mouth the souls of the dead will be cast into the trumpet, and when he blows out will they fly like bees, and fill the whole space between earth and heaven. Then will they enter their respective bodies, Mahomet leading the way.—Sale, Korân (Preliminary discourse, iv.).

⁂ Israfil, the angel of melody in paradise. It is said that his ravishing songs, accompanied by the daughters of paradise and the clanging of bells, will give delight to the faithful.

Israfel. Edgar Allan Poe thus spells the name of the angel “whose heart strings are a lute.”

Ispahan.

Is´sachar, in Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel, is meant for Thomas Thynne, of Longleate Hall, a friend to the duke of Monmouth. There seems to be a very slight analogy between Thomas Thynne and Issachar, son of Jacob. If the tribe (compared to an ass overburdened) is alluded to, the poet could hardly have called the rich commoner “wise Issachar.”

Mr. Thynne and Count Koningsmark both wished to marry the widow of Henry Cavendish, earl of Ogle. Her friends contracted her to the rich commoner, but before the marriage was celebrated, he was murdered. Three months afterwards the widow married the duke of Somerset.

Isumbras (Sir) or Ysumbras. (See Isenbras).

Itadach (Colman), surnamed “The Thirsty.” In consequence of his rigid observance of the rule of St. Patrick, he refused to drink one single drop of water; but his thirst in the harvest time was so great that it caused his death.

Item, a money-broker. He was a thorough villain, who could “bully, cajole, curse, fawn, flatter, and filch.” Mr. Item always advised his clients not to sign away their money, but at the same time stated to them the imperative necessity of so doing. “I would advise you strongly not to put your hand to that paper, though Heaven knows how else you can satisfy these duns and escape imprisonment.”—Holcroft, The Deserted Daughter (altered into The Steward).

Itha´can Suitors. During the absence of Ulyssês, king of Itaca, in the Trojan war, his wife Penelopê was pestered by numerous suitors, who assumed that Ulyssês, from his long absence, must be dead. Penelope put them off by saying she would finish a certain robe which she was making for Laërtês, her father-in-law, before she gave her final answer to any of them; but at night she undid all the work she had woven during the day. At length Ulyssês returned and relieved her of her perplexity.

Ith´oclês (3 syl.), in love with Calantha, princess of Sparta. Ithoclês induces his sister Penthēa to break the matter to the princess, and in time she not only becomes reconciled to his love, but also requites it, and her father consents to the marriage. During a court festival, Calantha is informed by a messenger that her father has suddenly died, by a second that Penthea has starved herself to death, and by a third that Ithoclês has been murdered. The murderer was Or´gilus, who killed him out of revenge.—John Ford, The Broken Heart (1633).

Ithu´riel (4 syl.), a cherub sent by Gabriel to find out Satan. He finds him squatting like a toad beside Eve as she lay asleep, and brings him before Gabriel. (The word means “God’s discovery.”)—Milton, Paradise Lost, iv. 788 (1665).

Ithuriel’s Spear, the spear of the angel Ithuriel, whose slightest touch exposed deceit. Hence, when Satan squatted like a toad “close to the ear of Eve,” Ithuriel only touched the creature with his spear, and it resumed the form of Satan.

Ithuriel, the guardian angel of Judas Iscariot. After Satan entered into the heart of the traitor, Ithuriel was given to Simon Peter as his second angel.—Klopstock, The Messiah, iii. and iv. (1748, 1771).

Ivan the Terrible, Ivan IV. of Russia, a man of great energy, but infamous for his cruelties. It was he who first adopted the title of czar (1529, 1533-1584).

I´vanhoe (3 syl.), a novel by Sir W. Scott (1820). The most brilliant and splendid romance in any language. Rebecca, the Jewess, was Scott’s favorite character. The scene is laid in England, in the reign of Richard I., and we are introduced to Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest, banquets in Saxon hall, tournaments, and all the pomp of ancient chivalry. Rowena, the heroine, is quite thrown into the shade by the gentle, meek, yet high-spirited Rebecca.

Ivanhoe (Sir Wilfred, knight of), the favorite of Richard I., and the disinherited son of Cedric of Rotherwood. Disguised as a palmer, he goes to Rotherwood, and meets there Rowena, his father’s ward, whom he has long loved; but we hear little more of him except as the friend of Rebecca and her father, Isaac of York, to both of whom he shows repeated acts of kindness, and completely wins the affections of the beautiful Jewess. In the grand tournament, Ivanhoe [I´.van.ho] appears as the “Desdichado” or the “Disinherited Knight,” and overthrows all comers. King Richard pleads for him to Cedric, reconciles the father to his son, and the young knight marries Rowena.—Sir W. Scott, Ivanhoe (time, Richard I.).

Ivan´ovitch (Son of Ivan or John), the popular name of a Russian. Similar in construction to our “John-son,” the Danish “Jan-sen,” and the Scotch “Mac-Ina.”

⁂ The popular name of the English as a people is John Bull; of the Germans, Cousin Michael; of the French, Jean Crapaud; of the Chinese, John Chinaman; of the Americans, Brother Jonathan; of the Welsh, Taffy; of the Scotch, Sandy; of the Swiss, Colin Tampon; of the Russians, Ivanovitch, etc.

Iverach (Allan), or steward of Inveraschalloch, with Gallraith, at the Clachan of Aberfoyle.—Sir W. Scott, Rob Roy (time, George I.).

Ivory Shoulder. Demēter ate the shoulder of Pelops, served up by Tan´talos; so when the gods restored the body to life, Demeter supplied the lacking shoulder by one made of ivory.

Pythag´oras had a golden thigh, which he showed to Ab´aris, the Hyperborĕan priest.

I´wein, a knight of the Round Table. He slays the possessor of an enchanted fountain, and marries the widow, whose name is Laudine. Gawein, or Gawain urges him to new exploits, so he quits his wife for a year, in quest of adventures, and as he does not return at the stated time, Laudine loses all love for him. On his return, he goes mad, and wanders in the woods, where he is cured by three sorcerers. He now helps a lion fighting against a dragon, and the lion becomes his faithful companion. He goes to the enchanted fountain, and there finds Lunet´ prisoner. While struggling with the enchanted fountain, Lunet aids him with her ring, and he in turn saves her life. By the help of his lion, Iwein kills several giants, delivers three hundred virgins, and on his return to King Arthur’s court, marries Lunet.—Hartmann von der Aue (thirteenth century).

Ixi´on, king of the Lap´ithæ, attempted to win the love of Hērê (Juno); but Zeus substituted a cloud for the goddess, and a centaur was born.

⁂ Browning rhymes the name cleverly: